Creative Prompt - 

This is right up my wheelhouse! (I am actually a city planner irl). If we are working with an imaginative crew and a blank check, the first thing we need to think about is people connections. How are people getting to the arena? Where are they coming from? Do they hang out in the area before and after the game, or are they just in a nd out for the main event? We want to try to pursue that first option: make an entertainment district connected to the surrounding residential area so people have a place to easily "play" and "hang out" within walking or transit distance to the venue. You don't necessarily have to think NYC, but just not like PNC Arena in Raleigh (where I live - an arena with zero amenities around it and is only accessible by car). Bring in your anchor amenities first and make sure there is a sizeable population coming to the arena and area for things other than the hockey game. Once you get a steady flow of activity, interest in arena attendance will rise. Start to outfit the arena with cool things and everything pops into place. Make sure you have the connections like transit or sidewalks so everyone can get around!